Sources We Cover

The Primary Sources

In recent years, genealogical research has been energised by the release of many records, such as census returns, online.  This has led to a number of new organisations springing up who offer to search these readily available resources. 

At Debrett we offer a great deal more.  We welcome the Internet revolution that has made many sources easier to access and use.  However, these represent only a fraction of the material available to the experienced researcher.  Local archives hold a wealth of records, many of which require specific expertise and local knowledge to interpret.   Through our network of experienced genealogists and researchers our coverage includes:

English and Welsh Ancestry

• civil registration records (birth, marriages and deaths), from 1837
• census returns (1841-1911)
• original parish registers and nonconformist registers
• Bishop’s transcripts and other diocesan records
• wills and other probate documents
• military records
• professional records
• manorial records
• apprenticeship and other guild records
• Poor Law documents
• local newspapers
• electoral registers and poll books
• court records such as Chancery Proceedings
• deeds
• early tax returns
• Heraldic visitations and other early published pedigrees

Scottish Ancestry

• civil registration records (births, marriages and deaths), from 1855
• census returns (1841-1901)
• parish registers
• testaments (wills)
• land records
• memorial inscriptions
• professional records
• civic records
• printed genealogical and local history works

Irish Ancestry

Many records were destroyed by fire in 1922 and others were not preserved.  For any Irish research we recommend that you send full known details for a free assessment before commissioning work.

• civil registration records (births, marriages and deaths), from 1864 (Protestant marriages from 1845)
• 1901 and 1911 census returns (most earlier returns were destroyed)
• church registers
• memorial inscriptions
• will indexes, abstracts, surviving wills (most were destroyed)
• government records eg 1796 Flax Growers’ Bounty List
• land records: Griffith’s Valuation, Tithe Applotment Books, Deeds

Ancestry research outside Great Britain

To complement our research on British families we access a variety of records in the USA, Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.  Our coverage of these will depend on the individual requirements of the case, and we recommend that you send full known details for a Free Assessment before commissioning work.

Early Emigrants to North America

This is a particularly challenging field of research in which we have a particular interest and long experience.  We hold the unique Frank Leeson Emigrant Index, which complements the more widely available indexes to emigrants and which concentrates on the 17th century.

Click here to find the lesser known sources we use.

“If there is a solution, I believe Debrett’s can find it.” (W Dowell, Virginia)

Debrett Ancestry Research Ltd
Department WP
PO Box 379
Winchester
Hampshire
SO23 9YQ
United Kingdom

Tel: (+44) (0)1962 841904

Email:
wp@debrettancestry.co.uk